Composer

:

Ned Rorem

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Average_duration

:

2:14

'Orchids' is a song cycle composed by Ned Rorem in 1976. The premiere of the work was given by soprano Phyllis Bryn-Julson and pianist Martin Katz at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. on April 22, 1977. The cycle consists of five songs, each of which sets a poem by a different author. The first song, "Orchids," sets a poem by Theodore Roethke. The music is characterized by a flowing, lyrical melody in the piano, which is accompanied by a soaring vocal line. The second song, "The Lost Pilot," sets a poem by James Tate. The music is more introspective and melancholy, with a haunting melody in the piano and a plaintive vocal line. The third song, "The Waking," sets a poem by Theodore Roethke. The music is characterized by a driving, rhythmic piano part and a soaring vocal line that builds to a powerful climax. The fourth song, "The Dance," sets a poem by William Carlos Williams. The music is light and playful, with a lively piano part and a sprightly vocal line. The final song, "The Serpent," sets a poem by Theodore Roethke. The music is dark and brooding, with a sinuous piano part and a menacing vocal line. The cycle as a whole is characterized by Rorem's sensitive and expressive setting of the texts, which captures the emotional depth and complexity of the poems. The music is lyrical and expressive, with a keen sense of drama and a deep understanding of the human psyche.

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